Background
Across Southern Africa, higher education stands at the forefront of societal transformation, social development, research innovation and knowledge creation. Deans and deputy deans play a pivotal role in driving this vision, as academic leaders, institutional stewards and strategic change agents. Yet, the transition from academic to dean often brings a complex shift in identity, responsibility and expectation. This shift calls for purposeful leadership development that is grounded in context, community and clarity of purpose.
The SARUA Dean Leadership Development Programme responds to this need. We are hosting a focused two-day development programme designed to empower deans and deputy deans to lead confidently, think systemically and act collaboratively in shaping the higher education landscape across the SADC region.
This programme is part of the SARUA Leadership Programmes, which develop and support senior leaders across Southern African higher education institutions. It equips participants with the competencies, confidence, networks and insights required to embolden institutional leadership and enhance the region’s higher education ecosystem, driving regional and African development, research excellence and innovation.
Conceptual foundation
Higher education leadership is central to Africa’s development agenda. The vibrancy of universities across the SADC region and beyond depends on capable, visionary and contextually aware leaders who can navigate the intersections of social and geopolitical change, academic integrity, administrative excellence and social responsibility.
The SARUA Dean Leadership Development Programme is underpinned by:
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The SDG framework, leadership maturity and critical pedagogy, fostering reflective and adaptive leadership |
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A strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) principles, ensuring that leadership in higher education is inclusive and transformative |
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An emphasis on navigating complexity within the evolving geopolitical and local-global higher education context |
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A focus on building a regional community of practice, connecting deans and deputy deans in shared learning, support and collaboration |
Purpose and promise
Over two days, participants will engage in intensive, research-informed and practice-based sessions that explore:
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Leadership transition: From academic to dean, from teacher to administrator, from management to leadership |
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Leadership clarity: Understanding leadership identity, role clarity and strategic influence |
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Leadership development: Development of leadership confidence to lead in bold, informed, socially just and contextually relevant ways |
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Leadership network: Strengthening of institutional and regional network to embolden the region, SADC and Africa |
Through active engagement, critical dialogue and peer learning, deans and deputy deans will emerge with renewed clarity, confidence and connection, equipped to shape higher education in SADC for a better life for all.
Why join?
By joining the SARUA Dean Leadership Development Programme, deans and deputy deans will:
- Develop role clarity and competencies
- Gain cutting-edge leadership insights tailored for the African higher education context
- Build a strong regional network of peers, mentors and collaborators
- Strengthen your institution’s contribution to leadership, knowledge creation, policy influence and social transformation
- Contribute directly to Africa’s development agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals
Programme
Thursday 4 December 2025
09:00–10:00 Arrival and introductions
10:00–11:00 Leadership during political upheaval
11:00–12:00 Leadership in transition
12:00–13:00 Lunch and networking
13:00–16:00 Leadership development
Friday 5 December 2025
09:00–11:00 Leadership visioning
11:00–13:00 Leadership clarity
13:00–15:00 Future-focused leadership
14:00–15:00 Lunch and networking
| Presenters: | Prof. Birgit Schreiber (Strategic Lead: Leadership and Professional Development, SARUA) |
| Prof. Stephen Simukanga (Executive Director, SARUA) | |
| Cost: | R6000 SARUA members |
| R7000 non-SARUA member |
